Fire TV software update 5.2.1.0 is now rolling out

A new software update for the Fire TV is beginning to roll out to devices. It appears the new update carries version number 5.2.1.0 (550144920), which is quite a jump form the previous version, which was 5.0.5.1. This is likely the update that will add the ability to launch apps and videos using Alexa, although one user is reporting the new commands are not working yet. It’s possible the feature will be remotely enabled once more devices receive the update.

This update might block rooting on the Fire TV 2 or blacklist FireStopper, the workaround version of FireStarter. So if that’s a concern for you, be sure you have updates blocked until we learn more. I haven’t received the update yet, but I will post a breakdown of what it adds and changes once I do. If you’ve received the update and have noticed something added or changed, be sure to let everyone know in the comments below.

I couldnt connect with new software using firestopper . So I unplugged modem , then router . Fire TV was showing weird IP Adress . Waited for router and modem to turn on . And it connected with new Anazon Software Update ✌️✌

I got the update and a message now shows up I can’t use my HBO NOW app unless I uninstall Kodi. “For security reasons the following apps must be uninstalled to use this app: Kodi”

Edited by AFTVnews:

I’m starting to think this comment is a troll comment meant to stir up concern with a false statement. A reader I trust with a Fire TV 1 that has received the 5.2.1.0 update has told me that he does not receive the above security message when launching HBO Now with Kodi installed or running. He does not have an HBO Now subscription, so it’s possible the message only appears when playing content, but the app at least launches fine with Kodi present. Of Course, I will update with more info when I receive it, but for now, be skeptical about the above claim.
-Elias

I disabled the updates along time ago and they remotley push the update through. It added the apps to home page and does allow u to disable any of the stuff that came with amazon like pictures,music. Stuff like that we were doing to save on space. But Atleast my firestarter still works.I haven’t got this new update so who knows

Since there are rumors that Amazon was going to block KODI on the FireTV in next updates, I would like to know if anyone that has received the 5.2.1.0, have tested if Kodi is still working on the FireTV with this newer v5.2.1.0 firmware??

I also would like to know if anyone have noticed something new or any enhancements on the FireTV1, FireTV2 and FireTV Stick?

Better than Android, where Google announces it’s fixed something, Nexus doesn’t get it for months, and other brands might never get it. As soon as you do get it Google announces it’s fixed something that’s broken in that update. Wash and repeat.

The update installed on my fire tv last night but not yet on my fire stick. There’s a major update to the parental controls, you can now specify lock levels for age rating, great! I’ve been hunting on how to do this for weeks. I’ve set my box to no-pin for u and pg content so that my kids can finally start using the box, I’ve not let them steam anything before because I didn’t want to be putting the pin in every time. I’ve also run up Kodi on my fire tv with the update with no problem. I’m really looking forward to the update for my stick just to get those parental controls!

I will stay blocked for as long as possible, figure I have 6-12 months of stability on my Gen 1 Fire TV’s. By then they will be nearly 3 years old and it will be time to look into a new media streaming box. I’m really tired of corporate politics and want to find a generic box not tied to any particular ecosystem. Just
something than can run android/google apps without all the drama.

Wurmzz, a FireTV user that has received the update, is having problems with Netflix and Amazon Videos:

“I just got the update yesterday as well. Netflix doesn’t load properly anymore, gets stuck at 99%.
Amazon videos don’t play they load the video and I just see like a screenshot of the video and it doesn’t play.
I’ve lost all audio. Tried resetting, clearing cache, data, reinstalling Netflix etc.”

If it possible to install an specific firmware release? I have a fire tv that hasn’t been updated to os 5 and is NOT rooted. Is there a way to install 5.0.5 or below and run kingroot to root it? Or would I need to let it update to the latest and hope for a rooting method in the future?

No, there is no way to manually select which version is installed. There is a chance it will updated to 5.0.5 (which is rootable) instead of 5.0.5.1 or the new 5.2.1.0. Let it update and be ready to block updates once it finishes updating incase you get luck and it updates to 5.0.5. You want to make sure it doesn’t THEN download 5.0.5.1 because the 5.0.5.1 update is tiny and it will download very quickly.

A manufacturer that does not offer an option to disable automatic application of a firmware update should worry about a class action suit. I can think of no other product that does not offer an option to disable auto updates. Microsoft Windows; Abode Flash; Apple IOS; Samsung Smart TVs etc all offer this. It’s their legal way of ensuring that they are not held liable if an update breaks core functionality.

Perhaps everyone here should take advantage of FireTV’s built-in ‘help desk call back’ feature to have them call … and then unload on them the fear of God that they better not screw up a perfectly fine box … else we may held them responsible … and may have to face any legal consequence.

Companies get worried when consumers use the word ‘legal’ during a customer support call.

Amazon should call Bono / U2 and seek advice on whether pushing updates without user content is a good thing.

Kodi still works fine with the new update… but a friend mentioned problems with adbfire and could not sideload apps anymore since he got updated. I could not test this myself , but if that would be true how could we reinstall Kodi when needed ? Can anybody confirm issues with adbfire and the sideload of apps ?

I noted since updating that Kodi doesn’t show up in my ‘Recent Apps’ section anymore. It’s still down in the ‘Apps’ section so it’s not a big deal – but wondering if this has happened to anyone else? Strange it hasn’t been mentioned above – which makes me thing maybe it’s just mine…

You can still sideload apps on the new firmware. You just have to toggle the adb settings on the device again once updated. I uninstalled kodi and re-installed and it works fine for me. Also sideloaded a bunch of other apps to test and they all worked.

just quickly, for those that are using remote mouse and sideloader with the latest firmware you will need to update the remotemouse app on your AFTV. If you don’t then for some reason both apps fail to work.

I’m not sure if this occurred with the latest update, but has anyone noticed that the AFTV now shows up in your local wifi list?

I am waiting for the update. Meanwhile, can someone please confirm that FLIRC remote works? I use my Harmony (via FLIRC) remote 99% of the time. If the new firmware breaks FLIRC, its going to be a major PITA.

For those who are not familiar with FLIRC, it is a USB dongle that connects to the Fire TV and allows use of an infrared remote. Besides the standard remote keys, it will also allow you to use PREV and NEXT feature (for instance to skip to next video while watching Youtube or CBS News etc.). The standard remote does not have PREV and NEXT buttons.

Hi I am in a non Amazon Fire country (Sweden) but I have a Fire TV 1 bought from a private importer and Amazon and Fire TV is pretty big in a neighbouring country, Germany, but I have not gotten the last 2 updates..

I bought it last fall and it has Fire OS 3 on it, I had it for a while and then updated it to the beta OS 5 thru the program.. OTA Beta, signed up on site etc..

Then I waited a while and got the official Fire OS 5 OTA, 5.0.5 update sometime in late february and it all worked fine and as normal, popped up on my screen and updated it.

But since then nothing, no 5.0.5.1 and no 5.0.5.2.. any way to force it or download it manually and then to a usb memory etc..

FireTv box (1st gen) received update 20th, running stock no KODI etc.. The Amazon screen saver no longer functions and Amazon Video seems to just randomly exit and go back to home screen. I’ve tried clearing cache and reboot both issues persist. Checked screensaver settings there still on the defaults start at 5 minutes, screen just goes black. Also FWIW it’s running wired connection, and no other network issues at the time of Amazon video stopping.

I haven’t tried any other APPs long enough yet to see if there is any other issues.

If you set your screen saver to to 10 minutes does the screen still go black (sleep) after just 5 minutes, like mine does since the latest update?
I don’t think my issue is related to the screen saver, more likely that it’s the sleep timer.
Unfortunately it looks like only an newer update can correct the sleep timer as there doesn’t appear to be a setting for it.

after update fire tv stick to a new version 5.2.1.0 kodi not working anymore, impossible to open it, going back to main screen every try, also esfile-explorer not downloading files anymore, it still opening but not allowing download files or apks. do not upgrade

Download esfile explorer from amazon app store if you don’t already have it…Launch Es file explorer and navigate to device> sdcard> Android> data> org.xbmc.kodi> files> .kodi> userdata> Database> Then select and delete AddonsXX.db file where “XX” can be either 19 or 20. Back out of es file explorer and then try to restart kodi.

This still does not work. I sent a message to makers of ES Explorer, hopefully more people will too. I have tested this on two sticks that have the 5.2.1.0 installed. One has Kodi and the other is new out of the box. Both, when you click on “Open in browser” after selecting the ARM file, it just kicks you out to the menu to select the app again. This happens with both KODI and Firestarter install process. I have done several sticks with the old OS and it works fine.

Got the update overnight. Kodi is working but now my smooth 60 fps live TV has gone to crap now and is down to 30 fp. Looks like they changed an mpeg2 codec or player or something. Also no longer can specifically pick the deinterlacing settings. Totally ruined it for me.

Got update on fire stick 1st gen. Screensaver goes to black, but whats most annoying is that, when stick goes to screensaver it ends the app that was working in the background, if it was on pause i have to start it again…
This update brings bugs obviously

Yep, that’s exact same thing my stock 1st gen box is doing..the black screen saver and apps end. But also have the amazon video app just randomly closes. I ran a binge marathon on Netflix today for about 3 hours with no issues.

So yesterday I updated my 2nd Gen Fire TV to software version 5.2.1.0 and noticed that voice search does not work anymore. Earlier when I pressed the voice search button on the remote I used to be able to voice search, with the latest update nothing happens if I press the button. I have also updated the Remote software as I got a prompt after the Fire TV upgrade reboot.
I checked Youtube for 4K and initially it did not work as when I launched Youtube I just got a black screen and then an error on my TV saying incompatible signal. Rebooted TV and Fire TV, went into settings and changed resolution to HD from AUTO, then was able to launch Youtube in HD. Changed it to AUTO again and voila Youtube in full 4K !! and got a small prompt saying press the ‘three lines’ button to change to 30fps which when I did caused my screen to go blank so my TV only supports 60fps, thats good for me. So back to my original problem, any help on what is causing voice search to stop working btw not sure if this is related but I am using the FireTV outside US.

Thought will provide an update to this.. voice search started working on its own about 3 days ago… nice feature with being able to do fun voice searches with Alexa… to answer the query posted by Fel – other changes I noticed are minor like the font change and the app store layout..

Since the update to 5.2.1.0 on my first generation FireTV, I often have no sound when turning on TV and AVR; I didn’t have this before and the only way I know to ‘fix’ this is to restart my FireTV. This is so extremely annoying that I’m close to ditching my FireTV.

Since the update my Samsung Smart TV won’t recognize my FTV Stick with Anynet+ (hdmi cec). Only after rebooting the FTV Stick with the stock Remote (hold Home + Play/Pause Button) it’s able to connect.
Someone else with that Problem ?
Are there any solutions ?

I am having that exact problem, pleased it isn’t just me! No fix heyond what you have suggested, toying with factory reset but I’m not hopeful and it’s a lot of hassle to put everything back. I’m pinning my hopes on a future update sorting it!

Since updating to 5.2.1.0 on AFTV2, passthrough audio via HDMI for AC3/DTS does not work, just getting high pitch noise / loud white noise. Only workaround appears to be to disable passthrough, and then I only get stereo. I use Plex, and AFTV native app also does not support surround sound! Was working perfectly before this update!

I reinstalled Kodi 16.1 via adb (still works) over the top on my AFTV2 and passthrough started working again. My sequence: 1. disable passthrough, 2. restart AFTV2 (and play something in stereo – may not be important?), 3. reinstall Kodi, 4. change audio in Kodi back to passthrough (and play something to test it). I also switched HDMI ports during the process, just in case that is also important. Back up and running here :-)

Looks like there is yet another new update, on my first gen box anyway, It downloaded this morning around 06:00. My screen saver is working once again, and Fire TV seems to crashing a lot less (which was new for me since the last update).

My Amazon Fire TV box (1st gen) updated to 5.2.1.0_user_550145120 on Saturday 4th June 2016. My Fire TV Sick updated to the same a few days later. Strangely my other Ist gen Fire TV Box is still on 5.0.5.1_user_537175520 which last updated 4th April 2016. This latter box is always the last of my three devices to get updates. I wonder if Amazon ‘pulled’ the original 5.2.1.0 update for this box and have it in the queue to receive 5.2.1.0_user_550145120, which on the face of it fixes an issue with the screensaver not working.

Somewhere along the line it seems one of the recent software updates has altered the optical audio output on first gen Fire TV boxes. I can no longer get 5.1 audio into my older AV amps (which only have optical inputs). Anyone else notice this? The AV amps report Dolby Digital, and Stereo (Front Left and Front Right speaker icons light up). Very disappointed about this.

my AFTV 4k box updated and now it has an issue with when it goes to sleep and I turn the TV on and wake box up my screen is black. i either have to swap HDMI ports or reboot box with power cord.

my 1st gen AFTV stick got the update a week later and it got rid of kodi in recent and apps list. Still installed but skin and customization is gone.
I reset to factory and started from scratch with Kodi. Got it back running but still not in recent or apps. I have to go into settings > apps > manage apps > kodi > launch” every time. Dont have this issue on the 4kbox. its still in my recents for easy launch. I have tried the dereg trick which solved this same issue on the last update… but not this time. PITA

I am so angry with this update! My Amazon Fire TV stick no longer works at all. To scroll up or down you now have to scroll side to side. It’s driving me crazy. Can’t open a single app. When I click to open one that stupid Alexa tells me button is not clickable!!! Grrrr. It worked totally fine before this, now I hate it.